{"title":"52nd annual North American PPA meeting in Baltimore (Maryland)","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.ijpp.2026.04.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijpp.2026.04.005","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":48817,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Paleopathology","volume":"54 ","pages":"Pages 58-75"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149175470","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"51st annual North American PPA meeting in Los Angeles (California)","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.ijpp.2026.04.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijpp.2026.04.003","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":48817,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Paleopathology","volume":"54 ","pages":"Pages 6-25"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149175472","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Supplement to the International Journal of Paleopathology. Abstracts for contributions presented at the Paleopathology Association meetings in 2024 and 2025","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.ijpp.2026.04.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijpp.2026.04.004","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":48817,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Paleopathology","volume":"54 ","pages":"Pages 1-5"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149175471","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"24th European PPA meeting in Leiden (The Netherlands)","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.ijpp.2026.04.006","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijpp.2026.04.006","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":48817,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Paleopathology","volume":"54 ","pages":"Pages 26-57"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149175473","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Fay Worley , G. Michael Taylor , Orestis L. Katsamenis , Simon Mays
{"title":"A possible case of hypertrophic osteopathy in osteological remains representing cattle hide processing from a Roman villa in England","authors":"Fay Worley , G. Michael Taylor , Orestis L. Katsamenis , Simon Mays","doi":"10.1016/j.ijpp.2025.11.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijpp.2025.11.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To evaluate the likelihood that pathological features noted on cattle bones indicate that the animal suffered hypertrophic osteopathy.</div></div><div><h3>Materials</h3><div>Cattle bones, mostly from the lower extremities, representing a single individual, recovered from a Romano-British villa (4th century CE).</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The remains were subject to macroscopic, low-power microscopic, radiographic and μCT study, as well as biomolecular analysis for <em>M. tuberculosis</em> complex and <em>Brucella</em> species DNA.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The remains represent a single individual and show bilaterally symmetrical subperiosteal new bone formation with no micro-anatomical alteration of the underlying bone structure. aDNA analysis was negative for <em>M. tuberculosis</em> and <em>Brucella,</em> but positive for bovine mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Hypertrophic osteopathy is the most likely differential diagnoses.</div></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><div>Hypertrophic osteopathy is uncommon in bovids, and this is the first suspected case in livestock remains from an archaeological site. It demonstrates the importance of differential diagnosis in disarticulated remains through recognition of skeletal patterning.</div></div><div><h3>Limitations</h3><div>The diagnosis is hampered by the incomplete nature of the remains.</div></div><div><h3>Suggestions for further research</h3><div>Given the primacy of chronic infection as a cause of hypertrophic osteopathy in the past, scanning these remains for evidence of pathogens using Next Generation Sequencing when feasible, and other biomolecular techniques may be useful.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48817,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Paleopathology","volume":"52 ","pages":"Pages 11-19"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145616673","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Anne R. Titelbaum , Mary K. Lucking , Cynthia A. Standley
{"title":"An arts-based approach for communicating paleopathological research to public audiences: the Phoenix Bioscience Core’s Artist + Researcher (ARx) program","authors":"Anne R. Titelbaum , Mary K. Lucking , Cynthia A. Standley","doi":"10.1016/j.ijpp.2025.12.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijpp.2025.12.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>Communicating research to the public is an important part of the scientific process, but to do so effectively, we must engage nonscientist audiences so they are interested in hearing about our discipline and how our insights have relevance in today’s world. One way to capture public imagination is through the visual arts. This paper describes an arts-based approach that communicated paleopathological research to public audiences.</div></div><div><h3>Materials</h3><div>One paleopathologist/bioarchaeologist whose research area is Peru and one professional artist who fabricates cloisonné objects.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The artist and researcher pair collaborated over a nine-month period. The finished pieces were displayed to various audiences through multiple gallery events. The pair was present at each event to discuss the research and art and answer questions.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Paleopathogical research was translated into a suite of cloisonné jewelry that pays homage to Moche art, illustrates the process of excavation and skeletal analysis, and communicates findings such as traumatic injuries, trepanation, and developmental conditions.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The art engaged viewers and furnished a starting point for dialog, giving them an interactive opportunity to learn about paleopathology.</div></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><div>This arts-based form of science communication made paleopathology accessible to audiences who generally do not attend our conferences or read our peer-reviewed publications.</div></div><div><h3>Limitations</h3><div>This project was a single arts-based form of science communication that was qualitatively assessed as successful.</div></div><div><h3>Future directions</h3><div>As we begin the next 50 years, paleopathologists should engage creatively with public audiences to communicate research findings, and objectively assess outreach activities to evaluate their effectiveness.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48817,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Paleopathology","volume":"52 ","pages":"Pages 58-68"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145839318","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Karen Giffin , Ariane Weber , Justina Kozakaitė , Ronny Friedrich , Rimantas Jankauskas , Denise Kühnert , Kirsten I. Bos
{"title":"Differential sampling for genetic analyses of Treponema pallidum and for radiocarbon dating in archaeological bone","authors":"Karen Giffin , Ariane Weber , Justina Kozakaitė , Ronny Friedrich , Rimantas Jankauskas , Denise Kühnert , Kirsten I. Bos","doi":"10.1016/j.ijpp.2025.11.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijpp.2025.11.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>Molecular recovery of <em>T. pallidum</em> DNA in dry bone poses methodological challenges. Here we evaluate recovery success from a molecularly confirmed co-infection with yaws (<em>T. pallidum pertenue</em>) and plague (<em>Y. pestis</em>).</div></div><div><h3>Materials</h3><div>Pulverised bone from three pathological anatomical elements from individual AGU007 excavated from Aguonų street, Vilnius, Lithuania was used for DNA analysis. Three additional anatomical elements from individual AGU007 were used to obtain radiocarbon dates.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>High-throughput sequencing of bulk DNA content followed by computational analysis. DNA sequencing and genomic analysis following molecular enrichment for <em>T. pallidum</em>. Radiocarbon dating combined with computational molecular dating.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div><em>T. pallidum</em> and <em>Y. pestis</em> DNA were identified in a cranial fragment from individual AGU007. Radiocarbon dates from this individual combined with another narrowed the temporal range to the latter part of the 15th century at the 2-sigma level.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Detection of <em>T. pallidum</em> DNA in multiple skeletal elements from an individual confirmed to have an active yaws infection at time of death gave further insight into preferred sampling locations for molecular detection of treponemal infections. While the highest molecular recovery came from teeth, the parietal bone provided adequate recovery.</div></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><div>This research indicates that sampling for molecular analysis of <em>T. pallidum</em> infections should include (if available) one tooth and one lesion indicative of active infection at the time of death. Accommodating radiocarbon date probability distributions and Bayesian inference has the potential to increase molecular dating precision.</div></div><div><h3>Limitations</h3><div><em>T. pallidum</em> DNA preservation is not predictable across the skeleton.</div></div><div><h3>Suggestions for Further Research</h3><div>We encourage ethical and minimalist sampling strategies for further research.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48817,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Paleopathology","volume":"52 ","pages":"Pages 44-57"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145673155","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Julia Meyers , Laure Spake , Carlos Prates , Carlos Oliveira , Sandra Sousa , Hugo FV Cardoso
{"title":"Radiographic and macroscopic dry bone manifestations of childhood leukemia in a case of known cause of death from mid-20th century Portugal","authors":"Julia Meyers , Laure Spake , Carlos Prates , Carlos Oliveira , Sandra Sousa , Hugo FV Cardoso","doi":"10.1016/j.ijpp.2026.02.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijpp.2026.02.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study examines the radiological and dry bone manifestations of diagnosed leukemia in a child who lived prior to the advent of modern cancer treatment.</div></div><div><h3>Materials</h3><div>The skeleton of a 9-year-old girl who died of myeloid leukemia in Lisbon, Portugal in the 1940s.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Lesions were identified and documented through macroscopic analysis. Selected skeletal elements were imaged using radiography, mammography, and computed tomography.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Osteolytic lesions were observed on the petrous portion, humerus, ilia, ischia, pubis, sacrum, tibiae, femora, and humeri. New bone formation was observed at the margins of osteolytic lesions on some bones including both ilia. Diffuse porosity on the frontal bone, the palate, several vertebrae, and the tarsals was also noted.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The lesions present in the child, both osteolytic and porotic, as well as new bone formation, are consistent with the clinically known radiological and dry bone effects of childhood leukemia.</div></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><div>This case is one of the few examples of potentially diagnosed childhood leukemia with observable dry bone lesions prior to the modern era of cancer treatment and can serve as a reference for diagnosis of suspected cases in the archaeological record.</div></div><div><h3>Limitations</h3><div>While the cause of death was documented as myeloid leukemia, it is possible that the medical diagnosis was incorrect.</div></div><div><h3>Suggestions for future research</h3><div>Further research using confirmed dry bone cases of leukemia and the environmental and societal factors potentially associated with the disease in the past.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48817,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Paleopathology","volume":"52 ","pages":"Pages 140-148"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146168635","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Stressing about stress: Examining dental cortisol concentrations in teeth with dental enamel hypoplasia","authors":"Leslie Quade , Petra Bencúrová , Miroslav Králík","doi":"10.1016/j.ijpp.2026.01.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijpp.2026.01.004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>The ‘stress’ hormone cortisol has recently been identified in human teeth, representing a potential method for assessing stress in past populations. In this study, dental cortisol concentrations were analyzed in teeth with dental enamel hypoplasia (DEH) to advance knowledge about this new method for detecting stress in archaeological skeletons.</div></div><div><h3>Materials</h3><div>Ten teeth with DEH were selected from nine individuals buried in the ‘Brno-Vídeňská Street’ cemetery (11th-12th century).</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>DEH were classified by type and number. Cortisol was assessed in circumpulpal dentine, primary dentine and enamel (n = 26) through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Cortisol was detected in eight of 10 teeth (80.0 %) and 15 of 26 samples (57.7 %), most frequently in enamel, with concentrations ranging from 0.011 to 0.194 μg/dL. Teeth with multiple linear or cuspal enamel hypoplasia were more likely to generate quantifiable cortisol.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>This analysis demonstrates a possible relationship between cortisol and DEH, especially when multiple defects are present. However, many samples did not have detectable cortisol, suggesting further research is necessary to explore if and how cortisol relates or contributes to DEH formation.</div></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><div>This is the first study to examine cortisol concentrations in teeth with DEH, advancing cortisol research.</div></div><div><h3>Limitations</h3><div>Sample sizes are small and included different tooth types with varying preservation.</div></div><div><h3>Suggestions for further research</h3><div>Future research should investigate diagenesis and compare cortisol in teeth with and without DEH, focusing on enamel. Mass spectrometry will provide greater sensitivity in future analyses.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48817,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Paleopathology","volume":"52 ","pages":"Pages 102-107"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146013668","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Saige Kelmelis , Kira Wilde , John P. Walden , Kirsten Green Mink , Kasey Corey , Victoria S.R. Izzo , Carolyn Freiwald , Claire E. Ebert , April Martinez , Hannah Zanotto , Julie A. Hoggarth , Rafael A. Guerra , M. Kathryn Brown , Christina Warinner , Jaime J. Awe
{"title":"Applying demographic and epidemiological models in challenging situations: Grappling with a small sample size and complex sociopolitical contexts among the ancient Maya at Lower Dover","authors":"Saige Kelmelis , Kira Wilde , John P. Walden , Kirsten Green Mink , Kasey Corey , Victoria S.R. Izzo , Carolyn Freiwald , Claire E. Ebert , April Martinez , Hannah Zanotto , Julie A. Hoggarth , Rafael A. Guerra , M. Kathryn Brown , Christina Warinner , Jaime J. Awe","doi":"10.1016/j.ijpp.2026.01.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijpp.2026.01.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To demonstrate the utility of applying demographic and epidemiological models to assess the potential effects of sociopolitical status and childhood stress on survivorship, mortality, and morbidity to shed new light on life during the Maya Classic period.</div></div><div><h3>Materials</h3><div>Elite and commoner burials (<em>n</em> = 63) from the Lower Dover polity, Belize dating to the Early (CE 250/300–600) and Late/Terminal Classic (CE 600–900/1000) periods were analyzed for lesions associated with developmental stress.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression hazards analyses were applied to assess survivorship and mortality trends across ages, sociopolitical statuses, and for individuals displaying macroscopic indicators of cribra orbitalia and linear enamel hypoplasia.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression showed that there are no significant differences in mortality and morbidity between sociopolitical status groups when nonadults (<15 years) are excluded. However, among commoners, those with cribra orbitalia had higher survival than those without it (<em>p</em> = 0.02).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Findings show that despite small sample sizes, paleodemographic models have the potential to elucidate the effects of early life stressors and that despite inferred status differences in Maya archaeology, elites and commoners experienced similar survivorship rates at Classic period Lower Dover.</div></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><div>This study exemplifies how integrating paleopathological data with demographic modeling provides insights even when sample sizes are limited, and it clarifies some of the complexities inherent in understanding ancient Maya.</div></div><div><h3>Limitations</h3><div>Poor preservation impacted the analysis of pathological conditions.</div></div><div><h3>Suggestions for Further Research</h3><div>Paleopathology—broadly and in Mesoamerica more regionally—needs to engage in more rigorous model approaches and reconsider long-held narratives to make substantial headway in understanding the societal and biological impact of childhood stressors.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48817,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Paleopathology","volume":"52 ","pages":"Pages 87-101"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146000218","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}